'Conversion Therapy' ban considered

Posted
Thursday, October 4, 2018 3:46 pm

Michael Mahler, editor-Publisher of Erie Gay News, reports that on September 19, 2018, Erie City Council passed a resolution introduced by Councilmember Kathy Schaaf to have the Mayor's LGBTQ Advisory Council research and report back on potential city ordinance to ban conversion therapy.

Mahler reported the mayor's LGBTQ Advisory Council is expected to meet in October, and the City of Erie Solicitor has already seen a draft of the potential ordinance. He noted if the solicitor and the advisory council approve a review, the ordinance would still need to be voted on by Erie City Council and signed by the mayor.

"Conversion therapy" - sometimes called "reparative therapy" - attempts to change an individual's gender identity or sexual orientation. It has been found to be ineffective and sometimes harmful to the individual, and every mainstream medical and mental health association has rejected it.